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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,506 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
This may be newbie question.
I just got my first dslr. A Nikon d5100. I can not afford the lens I want right now. I have been thinking about a 85-105mm micro (macro).
The lens that came with the camera is a Nikon dx, AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G. I am having a difficulty achieving good focus.
I have tried for several hours in diferent setting:(
Can a Nikkor 18-55mm achieve good focused shots?
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
TJ
The Nikon is a good camera and it is only limited by the lens. I have the same problem with my D80. I finally resorted to a Nikon Coolpix 7s. It has a macro setting and is OK for now until I can get a good macro lens or a bellows. One of the things you might try is to get a tripod and use the lens that will focus at the closest, try it in manual mode. Then set the camera to the highest resolution and take a pic and try to manipulate the pic so you can see the detail that will work for you.
I ramble I know
Mechman
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
The 18-55 is a "kit lens" that doesn't get in close enough for coin photography. Here is a review with sample photos. Photography is a hobby for me, and I specialize in macro. For a fixed subject like a coin, an AF lens isn't that necessary. If you want to save money, you might consider an older, non AF lens for a fraction of the cost of new. Check out KEH.com--they have a very good reputation @ selling used Nikkor lenses. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
You shouldn't have any problems at all achieving focus. What you will have, is problems achieving focus at distances which will give you large images of a coin. The minimum focusing distance of that lens is around 11", and that's at 18mm. As you zoom, the apparent distance to the coin will decrease, but so will the distance the camera thinks it is away from the coin. So if you zoom, at the same time you'll be needing to move the camera farther away from the coin to achieve focus. I haven't used this lens, but I've used Canon's equivalent 18-55. I found it best at about 50mm, maybe 18" from the coin. At that distance, with a 12MP camera I was getting a Morgan dollar about 1100 pixels in diameter, and I still had to fiddle with it in postprocessing to get what I wanted. dSLR's are great for coin photography. With the right lens. Without the right lens, they're no better than a point and shoot. |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
TJsCoins, see the "El-Cheapo lenses" thread...and get setup for under $100. There's a lot of great info in there even if you don't go the El Cheapo route.
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Valued Member
Australia
215 Posts |
this was done with a D3000 and 18-55 kit lens I put the camera on a my cheap tripod and lit the coin with a small led torch  |
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Valued Member
Australia
215 Posts |
not saying it's a great photo but the kit lens isn't terrible.
I must work on getting a flatter image.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3229 Posts |
Thanks to all of you for your help!:)
This forum is great because of great members like you!
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,506 |
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Posted 04/23/2012 8:59 pm
